Questions

How is The Community Fund financed?

Since 2003 the Rotary Club of Sherborne and subsequently the Rotary Club of Sherborne Castles have organised charity fundraising by
individuals and teams taking part in the Ironman and other events and activities in the UK and Ireland. During the past four years
the organisation of this charity fundraising has been reorganised and is now carried out by a separate charity called Rotary Club
of Sherborne Castles Fundraisers Limited. The charity covers fundraising by Rotary Charity Fundraisers in many events and activities
in addition to the original Ironman UK events.

A small fraction of the funds raised are allocated by Rotary Club of Sherborne Castles Fundraisers Limited to a charity fund it
has set up. The Community Fund will specifically distribute funds to charities and good causes in the DT9 postcode area which has
Sherborne at its heart.

In addition it is possible for individuals or companies to donate directly to the fund. Because the fund is specifically aimed at
charities and good causes in the DT9 area donors know that their contributions will directly benefit the local community. All such
donations received up to the closing date for applications for each year will be added to the amount allocated by RCSCF for that
year's awards.

Why the DT9 postcode area?

Rotary is a large international organisation with 1,800 clubs in Britain and Ireland with 50,000 members. There are currently eleven
Rotary clubs in the district surrounding Sherborne which itself has two clubs. There are three Rotary clubs in Dorchester, two in
Yeovil and Blandford as well as clubs in, Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton and Brue Valley.

The DT9 postcode area clearly defines the catchment area of Sherborne without impinging significantly on the catchment areas of any
of the other local clubs.

What is The Community Fund ?

The Community Fund has been set up to provide funds to charities and good causes for the benefit of the local community. The 'local
community' being defined as being within the DT9 postcode area as outlined above.

The ethos of The Community Fund is:

Working together towards improving both the facilities and the lives of residents in the community.

Promoting, encouraging and supporting community involvement.

Offering access funds to local voluntary groups and individuals with clearly identified needs.

RCSCF has allocated £15,000 to The Community Fund for 2017.

Who can apply?

Applications are welcome from any voluntary or community organisation, group or individual with a local interest that operates within
the DT9 postcode area for the benefit of the community.

Grants could be made in the following areas:

Youth work and activities

Pre-schools

Elderly or disabled

Health and social care

Local arts

Conservation and the environment

Animal care

Local community

Applications will not be considered from national organisations or those that are profit making, political or operate outside of the
DT9 postcode area.

Applications can be made for specific projects or activities within the DT9 postcode area by organisations outside the postcode area.

Applications will not be considered to a funded organisation in lieu of normal income.

How much can be applied for?

All applications are to be for specific sums. The levels of awards have been specifically structured to encourage small groups and
individuals to apply for modest but important amounts which would make all the difference to their projects or activities. The total
funds available have been split between the award levels so that this objective is achieved. There are four levels of awards.

Level 1 - up to a maximum of £250Level 2 - up to a maximum of £500Level 3 - up to a maximum of £1,000Level 4 - up to a maximum of £2,000

What can you apply for?

Equipment, furniture

Training

Transport

Professional assistance

Specific resources

How can you apply?

All applications are to be made online through this website.

When do you have to apply by?

The deadline for applications for 2017 is 31st March 2017.

What are The Community Fund panel looking for?

Each member of The Community Fund panel has their own criteria but applicants should ask themselves the following questions:

Need - Is there a real need for this project or activity? Does the project or activity really improve the
lives of local residents or is it just nice to have?

Own Efforts - What efforts have been made to raise the funds before making the application? How much has
been raised towards the cost of the project or activity?

Difference - How much more is needed to make the project or activity a reality? Will the award enable the
project or activity to be carried out?

Challenge - How challenging is the project or activity? How much extra effort is needed to turn the
award into reality?

The Community Fund panel will be looking through lots of applications so organisations or individuals who demonstrate that they have
a real need, have helped themselves and show that the award would make a vital difference are more likely to be successful than ones
that don't do any of these.

When will awards be announced?

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application during April 2017.

All cheques will be presented to the successful applicants by a member of the RCF Host Club the Rotary Club of Sherborne Castles.
Arrangements for the presentation will be made as soon as possible after they have been notified. A record of the presentation
will be made and posted on our website. Whenever possible press and general publicity will be sought.

What are Valid Organisations?

Any organisation that has submitted an application for an award and had it accepted for judging will subsequently be known as a
Valid Organisation and placed on the Valid Organisations list.

Why are Valid Organisations Important?

All organisations are required when completing a Community Fund application form to name their organisation.

All organisations who have submitted an application for an award and had it accepted for judging are required to use the same
organisation name on all subsequent applications.

Should it come to light that an organisation on the Valid Organisations list
has submitted a further application using a different name then RCSCF reserve the right to disqualify them from the award process
at any time, even after the announcement of winners.

Can we apply again?

If you were a successful Level 3 or 4 applicant in 2016 any application for a further Level 3 or 4 award made in 2017 will not be considered.

If you were a successful Level 1 or 2 applicant in 2016 you may apply again for any level of award in 2017.

If you were a successful Level 3 or 4 applicant in 2016 you may apply for a Level 1 or 2 award in 2017.

If you were an unsuccessful Level 3 or 4 applicant in 2016 we would welcome a further application in 2017.

Can we appeal the decision?

No. The decision of The Community Fund panel is final.

The above questions will be updated and added to on a regular basis. Please check this section if you have a particular query before
contacting the Community Fund as it may well have been already asked and answered.